Masons Continue To Fight Diabetes,Evident At Recent Banquet

At the recent annual dinner of the Masonic Association for Charity for the First Kings District, President Robert C. Rodie (left) presented a check for $10,000 to Joseph Mure, Jr. Looking on were Neal I. Bidnick, Cyril A. Francis and Joseph DiSanto. The First Kings Masonic District, known for contributing to the fight against diabetes since 2004, once again have shown their fervor in battling the terrible illness. At the annual banquet of the Masonic Association for Charity held at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach a check of $10,000 was presented to Joseph Mure Jr., chairman of the Brooklyn Queens Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

More than 250 people were in attendance.

Mure was also presented with the DeWitt Clinton Masonic Award for service, an honor that the Masonic Fraternity bestows on non-Masons. Mure expressed his gratitude toward the Masons, stating in his acceptance speech that Masons were the first contributors to the JDRF, and that he has never forgotten their efforts.

Also honored were Cyril A. Francis of Brooklyn, for his efforts as District Deputy Grand Master of the First Kings District; and Joseph DiSanto, Grand Director of Ceremonies of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, also of Brooklyn, for his efforts as Grand Director of Ceremonies. Neil I. Bidnick, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York, presented plagues of appreciation to both Francis and DiSanto.